“They are saying it’s exactly the same as the red clay which is not true because there is a big difference,” Novak said in his post match interview. “You are tripping and slipping and sliding all the time and winner will be the one who doesn’t get hurt until the end of the week because a lot of players fell down. Generally it’s a new experience and the way it looks this year hopefully the last experience.”

The 24-year-old Belgrade native, winner of two titles this year including his third Australian Open crown, needed 4 match points to finish off the 21st-ranked Wawrinka and will play his friend and compatriot Janko Tipsarevic (7) for a place in Saturday’s semi-finals.